CA Company Recalls Walnuts After Testing Finds Listeria

Stutz Packing Company of Indio, CA is voluntarily recalling it’s 1-pound packages of Shelled Walnuts, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was the result of routine sampling which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria.

These Walnuts were distributed to food bank warehouses in Texas and Arizona which further distribute to other distribution centers that can go to consumers, or smaller foods banks, school lunch programs, shelters, or prison food systems.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/stutz-packing-co-recalls-walnut-product-because-possible-health-risk
Stutz Packing Co. Recalls Walnut Product Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 19, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  July 22, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Tree Nuts  
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness - Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Stutz Packing Company
Brand Name:  Stutz Packing Company
Product Description:  Shelled Walnuts

Company Announcement

Stutz Packing Company of Indio, CA is voluntarily recalling it’s 1-pound packages of Shelled Walnuts, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

These Walnuts were distributed to food bank warehouses in Texas and Arizona which further distribute to other distribution centers that can go to consumers, or smaller foods banks, school lunch programs, shelters, or prison food systems.

The recalled product is limited to 1-pound Shelled Walnuts, UPC Code 7 15001 00908 1 The product comes in a 1-pound, clear plastic packaging with a red outlined white box printed in the center of the bag. Product description “SHELLED WALNUTS”, lot code 24171 1 or 24172 1, printed in black on the front of the bag.
Lot code breakdown Code Example: 24171 1A or 24171 1E Digits 1 & 2: YY (Year 2024) Digits 3, 4, & 5: DDD (Julian 171=June 19) Digit 6: Shift (1 or 2) Alpha Position 7: Line Identification.

To date, there have been no reports of illnesses related to this recall.

The recall was the result of routine sampling which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. Stutz has ceased the production and distribution of this product as FDA and Stutz continue their investigation. No other sizes, varieties, or other packaging of Shelled Walnuts are included in this recall.

If a consumer has this product, they can discard the product or return it to the location in which the product was obtained. If consumers have any questions, they may contact Sasha Morales via email at smorales@stutzpacking.com, or call 760.230.9547 Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm PST.